Climate Change Project unlikely to complete on time

By Navin Singh Khadka

Kathmandu, Feb.5: Time is running out for an already troubled official project aimed at finding out climate change-related issues in the country, as the scheme’s June 2002 deadline is fast approaching, officials say.

Started some one and a half years ago, the project – Nepal Enabling Activities for the Preparation of Initial National Communication Related to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change–is required to present a report within the stipulated deadline to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

"We are indeed hard-pressed to finish the work within the deadline," said Purna Bahadur Shrestha, Assistant Coordinator of the project. "Much remains to be done for the project while we still lack basic things like study materials, computer software and methodology guidelines, among others."

The first half of the project is tenure was squandered on administrative hassles like appointment of personnel, said officials with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) – the executing agency of the project. Yet, unsolved remains the main problem – acute dearth of experts for the project.

"Without the right experts, we have no choice but to develop the expertise among ourselves before we can actually begin the work," said Dr. K.P Sharma, Senior Divisional Hydrologist with the Department, who is also with the project. "That is what has been taking the major chunk of our time now."

Billed at US$ 270,000 and sponsored by the Global Environment Fund and the United Nations Environment Programme, the study-project is required to prepare a Green House Gas Emission inventory of the country, its vulnerability assessment, mitigation options and a national action plan.

In developing nations like Nepal, gases including carbon dioxide, methane and nitroxide are responsible for Green House Gas Emission (GHGE) resulting in climate change. It is the accumulation of these gases in the atmosphere and their impact Nepal must study since it signed the United Nations Framework on Climate Change during the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Jenerio.

After getting the Convention ratified by the Parliament and by the United Nations, the Convention came into force in the country in 1994. Ever since, there have been many developments suggesting climate change in the country, experts say. The temperature in the country, for instance, is rising at the rate of 0.2 degree centigrade per decade. In the case of Kathmandu, the rise has been half a degree centigrade per decade.

"That is why we get to see striking cases like the drying-up of the Ranipokhari-water right here in Kathmandu," said Shrestha. "And that is why we are witnessing serious changes in the monsoon-precipitation patterns causing floods-induced natural disasters."

While that happens during the wet season, at other times of the year, the snow-fed rivers have low flow due to glaciers’ retreat thanks to the global warming, or climate change once again, experts say. According to DHM officials, the small and medium sized glaciers in the country have been retreating by 15 to 30 meters annually. In its recent study, the department found that seven glaciers in the Khumbu Region alone have retreated by 27 to 100 metres.

Alarmingly, the findings show that almost half of the more than 3,000 glaciers across the northern Himalayan belt in the country are getting smaller. "Therefore, the major river systems have witnessed decreased flow of water," said Sharma, who had recently conducted a study on the Koshi River Basin.

A recent UNFPA report states that the per capita emissions in the developing countries are far lower than the industrialised countries. "In the 20th century carbon dioxide emissions grew 12 fold – from 534 million metric tons to 6.59 billion metric tons contributing to global warming that will have severe environmental and social effects."

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that the atmosphere will be warmer by as much as 5.8 degrees celsius over the coming century and the sea level will rise about half a meter.

For such alarming consequences both in the home front and elsewhere, the country’s Green House Gas Emission is not the prime culprit, experts say. "Obviously, it is the emission of the industrialised countries that has led to the warming of the earth’s atmosphere," Shrestha said.

To prove that, however, the climate change project run by the DHM will have to get to business, that too at a war-footing. "We may request the United Nations for time extension, although the real challenge for us are the constraints we face to execute the project," a DHM official said.

Terrorist attack claims 16 cops in Kavre dist

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 5: Sixteen police personnel were killed when a group of armed Maoist terrorists attacked the area police office at Bhakundebensi of Khanalthok Village Development Committee in Kavrepalanchok district last night.

Five police personnel, who were injured in the incident, have been brought to Kathmandu for treatment, according to a press statement issued by the Home Ministry here today.

The police personnel who were killed in the attack included inspector Tikaram Pandey (Dhangadi Municipality-1), assistant sub-inspector Netra Bahadur Giri (Kote, Shindupalchok), sergeants Purna Bahadur Karki (Maharanijhoda, Jhapa), Padamraj Poudel (Nirmalpokhari, Kaski), Krishna Bahadur Shrestha (Basheshwar, Sindhuli), Gobinda Pokhrel (Bhaktipur, Sarlahi), Madhulal Adhikari (Ayodhyapur, Chitwan), Hom Adhikari (Katuwachaupari, Parbat), and Gokarna Karki (Diyale, Okhaldhunga).

Also killed in the terrorist attack include Subodh Raya Yadav (Madhubani, Sarlahi), Pannalal Raya (Bhawanipur, Parsa), Pramod Shah Kanu (Banjahara, Rautahat), Sanukanchha Baniya (Naikap, Kathmandu), Haridev Chaudhari (Padampur, Chitwan), Prem Bahadur Thing (Hetauda Municipality-8), and Bharat Mishra (Hathiyari, Rautahat).

The Ministry also said that a dead body of a terrorist was found in the area, while some dead bodies had been taken away by the terrorists.

In the meantime, Surendra Joshi, a resident of Tikapur Municipality Ward No. 9 of Kailali district, died while undergoing medical treatment at Seti Zonal Hospital today. Joshi was seriously injured when a gang of armed terrorists attacked him yesterday.

A total of 16 terrorists surrendered before the administration renouncing their affiliation with the terrorist group in various districts of the country today. Those who renounced the terrorist group include eight in Ilam, three in Jhapa and one each in Sankhuwasabha, Sindhupalchok, Nuwakot, Salyan and Achham.

ML confirms merger with UML

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 5: A central committee meeting of the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist) held today decided that the party will merge with the Communist Party of Nepal-(Unified Marxist-Leninist), but it will maintain its differences with the latter over the Mahakali Treaty, said an ML press release.

Today’s meet, with a majority vote, approved the political report and proposed the unification of the two parties. The report with presented by the party’s general secretary Bam Dev Gautam, party office secretary Kiran Gurung told The Rising Nepal this evening.

However, four ML leaders, including C.P. Mainali, Tanka Karki, Jeetbir Lama and Rishi Kattel voted against Gautam’s proposal for unification of the two parties which had split four years ago. Gautam, however, received overwhelming support from other central committee members.

The meet also discussed the unity proposal sent by the UML negotiation committee and said that unification was the need of the hour.

In another decision, the party has appealed to all its supporters, well-wishers, party committees, sister organsations and the Nepalese people to assist and contribute in bringing the unity talks to a decisive stage.

Justifying the ongoing unification process, the press release said that the two parties have the same guiding principle, that is, people’s multi-party democracy, and the same attitude while analysing basic contradictions. "Both parties have faith in the legal and constitutional struggle to attain their objectives. Therefore, unification is a better outlet to settle their differences through internal democratic exercises in the present context," it states.

Similarly, the ML has called upon all concerned to take immediate steps for timely amendments in the Constitution to bring about dramatic economic, social and political reforms in the country

The meet presided over by the party general secretary discussed the current political situation and decided that the State of Emergency should not be extended by more than three months.

Party chairman Sahana Pradhan could not attend the meeting on health grounds, it is learnt.

Pashmina export takes a tumble

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb 5: The volume of Pashmina export has seen a sharp decline by a whopping 80 per cent in a year triggering worries that the once-thriving industry could be on the verge of collapse.

A major exportable, only next to garments and carpets, Pashmina business thrived during 1998-1999, when the demand of the fine wool product was high in the European and American markets.

The export of Pashmina crossed the Rs. five billion mark from a mere 200 million rupees in just three years' time.

The late 1990's Pashmina industries flourished to a dizzying height of prosperity but this did not last long. Today Pashmina export accounts for less than 850 million rupees.

As a result of the sharp fall in the demand more than 85 per cent of industries have already closed down.

What are the factors that compelled Pashmina industries to face such a bleak situation? Is there any possibility for the revival of this industry? What should be the role of the government to revive the industry?

These were the issues around which the country's prominent Pashmina manufacturers, traders and related government officials focussed their discussion at a programme here today.

They said that the government and the private sector should join hands to revive the industry.

The priority should be given to ensure quality products, fair pricing and effective promotion of Pashmina, they said.

Inaugurating the seminar on "Pashmina Export Management," organised by the Handicraft Association of Nepal, Minister for Industry Commerce and Supplies Purna Bahadur Khadka reaffirmed the government's commitment to work in partnership with the private sector. However, he said that the private sector should be equally active so that it could take a lead role.

Minister Khadka further said that the private sector should develop their competitive strength and brace for a new trade regime as Nepal joins the World Trade Organisation.

Kalyan Krishna Tamrakar, President of the Association, demanded that the government support the private sector for industrial development in the country.

Chandi Raj Dhakal, third vice president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), strongly demanded that the government create an industry-friendly atmosphere. Trade and industry cannot flourish in turmoil, he said.

Pancha Ratna Shakya, vice president of the Association, stressed the need for common efforts to revive ailing industries in the country.

Later Gehendra Bahadur Bajracharya, executive director of the Carpet and Wool Development Committee, and Pushpa Raj Shrestha presented their working papers.

Naresh Lamichhane, deputy director of the Trade Promotion Center, and Puspa Man Shrestha commented on the papers.

'NDF outcome to be useful'

Kathmandu, Feb. 5 (RSS): The meeting of the Nepal Development Forum-2002 was held under the co-chairmanship of Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat and vice-president of the World Bank Mieko Nishitmizu here today.

On the occasion Finance Minister Dr. Mahat said that the suggestions received from the Nepal Development Forum (NDF) meeting would be useful for Nepal's economic development.

Vice-president of the World Bank Nishitmizu expressed confidence that the sincere participation of the donor community would help to initiate very meaningful economic reforms.

At the beginning of the NDF meeting, the agendas being presented to the consultative meetings on behalf of Nepal were presented with the help of slides

On the occasion, Finance Secretary Dr. Bimal Prasad Koirala presented a working paper on "Implementation of Nepal's Reform Agenda for Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction."

Dr. Koirala informed the meeting about the strategy being adopted by Nepal to meet the economic challenges, the reforms being made in the civil service, efforts being made to check corruption, the priority areas of decentralisation, participatory program for social reforms, as well as health and education sectors.

On the occasion, the participants presented suggestions on the agendas presented by Nepal.

The meeting was attended by ministers, MPs, planning experts, high ranking officials of HMG, representatives of the industry and commerce sectors as well representatives from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Asian Development Bank, European Union, International Fund for Agricultural Development, International Monetary Fund, Saudi Fund for development, the World Bank and U.S. agencies.

Representatives of Russia, India and China took part in the NDF meeting as observers.

RNA involved in road construction

Kathmandu, Feb. 5 (RSS): The involvement of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) in development activities is expected to make significant contributions to accomplishing the onerous task of nation building.

The RNA has been carrying out development works assigned to it with utmost sincerity.

At present, the RNA is playing a catalytic role in improving the law and order situation in the country which has deteriorated with the destructive activities unleashed by the Maoist terrorists.

Notwithstanding the remoteness, unfavourable environment and scarce resources, Royal Nepalese Army personnel have been fully devoted to constructing feeder roads as well as expanding the existing road network in various parts of the country.

Works on construction of a bailey bridge over the Marsyangdi river, which lies between Lamjung and Gorkha districts, is going on in full swing. The target is to complete it by Baisakh, 2059 B.S..

According to Royal Nepalese Army Headquarters Development Work Directorate, construction of a gabion wall along the Katari-Okhaldhunga road, which was washed away by the Bhandari river during the monsoon, has been completed.

Likewise, construction of a structure of the Manebhanjyang-Walethumka portion is underway.

Similarly, the RNA has also completed the construction of a road up to Jhulaneta in Rukum of the Salyan-Musikot Highway. Transport services hasve already started on the 56-km portion of the highway.

Stone cutting in Sankh area under the Musikot-Burtiwang road is being carried out with promptness by the Armymen.

In addition, works on opening up of a seven-km track under the same road is taking place, according to the directorate.

The construction of a 26-km portion from Dhankuta to Leguwaghat of the 82-km Hile-Bhojpur road has already been completed. The remaining portion of the road has been handed over to the Department of Road for construction.

Similarly, in the course of building the Beni-Jomsom road, RNA has helped open two way traffic by constructing a 75-metre temporary bridge over the Myagdi river.

Construction of the three-km gravelled road is being carried out at tep speed. Afforestation has been carried out along the river banks to keep the river free from pollution.

Meanwhile RNA will start constructing The Drabya Shah highway in Gorkha district, Gorkha-Mankamana road, Arughat-Arukhet road and a Bailey bridge at Arughat in Dhading in the near future.

The Royal Nepalese Army has been mobilised in development works even before the restoration of democracy in 2046 B.S.

PADT Master Plan
228 families to be evacuated

Kathmandu, Feb. 5 (RSS): The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) under the Pashupati Master Plan is to evacuate 228 families which have been living for a long time on 90 ropanis of land in the area.

Compensation of Rs 670 million has been demanded for those who are to be displaced from the area, PADT has stated.

The cost estimate of the 10-year master plan is Rs 2,030 million and it covers an area of 264 hectares in the Pashupati area.

The master plan should have started two years ago. For the past few months, it has initiated various steps for the construction of prerequisites for implementation of the master plan.

The master plan will be implemented in three phases. In the first phase, new construction work contrary to accepted norms will be prohibited, commemorative structures will be protected, the river bank service for Kriyaputras extended, vacant land will be acquired as per the master plan, physical infrastructure built and detailed survey and estimation carried out for the houses and land to be evacuated.

In the second phase, a detailed plan will be undertaken for every sub-area, ways of minimising adverse environmental impact identified, the vacated structures utilised as per the master plan, archaeological buildings protected and physical infrastructure developed.

In the third phase, the approved plans will be implemented intensively, national and international cooperation sought for completion of the projects, and emphasis laid on construction and valuation.

As the Pashupati area is one of the important sites in the world from the religious, cultural and archaeological points of view, and has been included in the world heritage list, intellectuals have positive views on attempts being made for its development.